With EoE, Allergies, Asthma and a G-Tube

Vacationing With Food Allergies

Gearing up for the trip Adventure Snowman brought us I was excited. However, there was a big pit in my stomach worrying about the kids being able to eat. How would I keep them fed and safe?

My first plan of action was to make sure our hotel rooms had a kitchenette so I could cook something if needed. Next, I packed plenty of snacks. So I devoted a Rubber Maid container to all snacks. I also threw in things like Tinleigh’s safe noodles, grits and syrup so I would be able to make them for her in the hotel. Our condo had a full kitchen as well. Having the snacks handy when we stopped for gas was great because it also saved us on gas station treats. I made sure and packed feeding tube formula ready to go for feeds during the car ride.

I knew we would be going out to eat. It scared me every time. I was so nervous to let them eat anything. I always knew how far the closest ER was. I had 4 epi pens and a bottle Benadryl on me at all times.

Our first night we stopped at Applebee’s. The kids have never eaten there before. It was Christmas night and surprisingly there was a wait to be seated. Once we finally had our table I told the boys to figure out what they wanted and then I would make sure it would be safe. Charlie ordered chicken strips and fries. He would be fine. Gage wanted the kids steak. I explained to the waitress that Gage had food allergies and asked if they were able to cook his steak in a cleaned off area or a separate skillet. She left to go ask the chief. She came back and explained the chief felt they were super busy, which they were, and he didn’t feel safe about worrying about making a special steak that night. I said I completely understood and Gage went with a double order of mac n cheese with yogurt and fruit. I was honestly relieved that they were so honest. Now, I could have put up a stink that they wouldn’t oblige to what we needed, but why put Gage’s life at risk? He filled his belly and was happy. He understood the situation.

Next up was Augies Alamo City BBQ Steakhouse. If you ever visit San Antonio this is a must. The set up is sort of a school cafeteria. You start at one end of the line picking your sides, then move down to the next station where you pick your meat. Lastly is pickles, chips, dessert and you pay. Before heading out we fed Tinleigh full of formula so she wouldn’t be hungry. I packed her a few snacks in my purse. I packed Gage a few things as well just in case. We looked over the side items, mac n cheese was the only safe thing for him among the baked beans and different types of potatoes. He then selected the pork ribs for his main course. It didn’t hit me until they were slicing it that they cut all the meat in the same spot. This would be problematic for Nathan as he is deathly allergic to chicken. I got Gage situated with his food then let Nathan know about the cutting area. Tinleigh spotted some lays chips and asked for some iced tea. She was set and happy. Nathan risked them cutting his meat in the same area. I was having a mini panic attack. In the end everyone was fine! Not an itch in site. I highly recommend the pork ribs if you visit. Everything was delicious though.

Our second day in San Antonio we toured all day. I had plenty of snacks for everyone in my backpack. We decided to hit Margaritaville for lunch. I had never been to one before so I had no clue what we were walking into. Luckily the kids menu had ribs on it and that was what Gage wanted. They were delicious. We did have a hiccup with Tinleigh and Nathan here. Tinleigh was able to order a cup of applesauce which was super exciting for her because it was her new food and they actually had it. Problem was they brought it out on Charlie’s plate full of breaded shrimp. We explained why it was a problem. They happily brought her a new cup. I washed it off before giving it to her in fear they just took the cup then brought it back again. Nathan had a Cuban sandwich which is all pork but something got to him. We’re not sure what. A few Benadryl later he was fine. That night we were all exhausted from touring San Antonio. We saw the Alamo, rode a boat on the Riverwalk, went up the elevator in the Tower of America’s and visited the Pearl. So we stayed in and ordered pizza. Luckily Gage’s safe and favorite, Pizza Hut, was right around the corner. So we got his safe pizza and found a local place for us to try.

The next day we headed further south to South Padre Island. I wasn’t quite as prepared as I had wanted to be. By the time we got there they were all starving. We stopped at Walmart before crossing the bridge onto the island. I let them all pick something to eat. When we arrived at the condo Charlie jumped out of my parents car and came running to me to let me know he had just eaten peanut flour. He kept saying I’m fine. He had picked out the Keebler coconut cookies that are similar to the girl scout cookies and none of us had read the bag. When he started eating a cookie he also started reading the ingredients. After one bite he threw the cookie out the car window. I just stood there staring at him with lots of thoughts going through my head. He didn’t feel a thing. So I told him the instant he did he needed to let me know. My instinct said to epi pen him, but he wasn’t feeling anything. He never did have any sort of reaction. This led to new blood work being done now here at home to see where his peanut allergy is. No results yet.

Our first night on the Island we went to an amazing seafood restaurant called The Sea Ranch. This was my first allergy experience of feeling just a little bit like my family might feel. Since having the kids and developing my own allergies I had never really been in a situation where I couldn’t eat. The Sea Ranch menu only had a handful of things I could eat. It made me feel sad for them. I now had a little better feeling of their side of things. It didn’t feel good. So now that I was already feeling some emotions we had to figure out what the boys could eat. Charlie wanted the Mahi Mahi and I was fine with that. Then Nathan ordered appetizers. He chose a dozen oysters, jumbo shrimp cocktail and calamari. These appetizers looked amazing. The waitress also brought us some bread. Everyone grabbed a piece and I asked to see the ingredients for Gage. Good thing I did, There was egg flour in the mix.
Once Charlie saw all of this he told me he didn’t need the Mahi Mahi anymore. He was also super excited to try an oyster. I wasn’t so excited about that. Having been able to always eat shell fish with out trouble Nathan and I finally agreed it would be okay. Apparently though my nerves were showing because Nathan kept asking me if I was okay. Charlie picked up an oyster as Nathan explained how to eat it. I can’t believe he tried it. He LOVED it.

See the calamari on that plate? It was giant and they all said it was the best they had ever had. As everyone was snacking on the appetizers Nathan looks at me and says oh my gosh you can’t eat any of it! He then quickly tried to find something I could have. I told him I was fine. It was the perfect opportunity for me to give Tinleigh a bolus. She came and stood beside my chair and we began. Tinleigh has no issues with her tube and feels quite comfortable doing this in public. We definitely got a lot of looks while doing it. She didn’t notice though. We ordered dinner and Gage chose a steak. Two bites in and his ears were itching. I gave him a Benadryl and then he told me his lip felt puffy. I could see it was a little red. He and Charlie went to the restroom so he could rinse his mouth out. The Benadryl helped and Gage ate all the crackers off the table the waitress had brought since he couldn’t eat the bread. We were bummed about the steak but the reaction was minor. My cucumber martini got me through dinner. The next day Nathan and the boys did their fishing trip so he baked up the fish they caught. Gage can eat tilapia and bluegill all day. Salmon and tuna are anaphylactic. So the thought of him trying this trout had me a mess, on the inside. I really didn’t want him to eat any. How would I tell him though that he couldn’t eat what he had spent half the day catching? Luckily, he had a backpack of formula and really didn’t want any fish anyways. I’m not sure if he was too nervous to try it, but I left it alone. The only people that could eat it were my parents and Charlie. They LOVED it along with Nathan’s homemade hushpuppies. Nathan and I had burgers. While staying at the condo we ate lunch in. Safer and easier all around.

The following evening we decided to try some local Mexican. We checked out Senor Donkey. Mexican makes me nervous for many reasons. When our waitress brought chips and salsa and we asked if they made them there or if they were store bought and she had no clue what we were saying I was super nervous. This place was authentic. So we didn’t let Tinleigh have any chips. Another waitress came to take drink orders and she spoke some choppy English. We got our orders in and I felt okay with Gage getting the pork tacos. I had an amazing watermelon margarita. A few bites in though and Gage was complaining about itchy ears again. We weren’t sure if it was his nerves or if it was real. So I passed him an apple from my purse along with a Benadryl and we took his tacos back to the condo for lunch the next day. Tinleigh had, had enough by this point. She couldn’t eat anything there, she was tired and was getting all worked up. We ended the dinner with her in tears because eating sucks. Gage was fine after his Bendaryl, but I had to feed him once we got back to the condo.

Our last night on the island was new years eve. Also, our 14th anniversary. My parents happily offered to watch the kids. We took them up and headed out for the evening early. Our plan was to just check out the different bars and restaurants having drinks and appetizers as we go so we would know where to go next time we visit South Padre Island. We started out at Pier 19. It was a little restaurant on the water. I got to see a dolphin playing in the water while we ate. Next stop was the Wanna Wanna beach bar. Being that it was cold and somewhat rainy they had a cover around everything. So it wasn’t too exciting. I’m sure when it’s warmer out it’s a fun place. There was a sign that said “Please no dancing on tables with heals”. We then headed to a restaurant where Nathan decided he wanted a steak dinner. So Liam’s Steakhouse and Oyster Bar was our last stop of the night.

We both had some steak, amazing cocktails and took some chocolate mouse cake back to my parents as babysitting payment. We picked them all up some pizza hut as well. Yeah, wild New Years Eve done by 7:30. We spent the rest of the evening playing Uno with the kids. Then we saw some fireworks from our room. No one had an allergy attack. I would say that’s a good note to end the year on.

Our family

I’m the average stay at home super mom. Run the daily grind of raising two boys and two girls.

I love coffee, dancing, painting and teaching my children how to grow into the best people they can be.

All three of my oldest kids and my husband have Eosinophilic Esophagitis, multiple food and environmental allergies and the kids all have asthma. Our youngest does not have EoE but does have some strong environmental allergies and chronic urticaria. More recently the boys were also diagnosed with Elhers Danlos type 3.

Dealing with these issues daily is hard but we still LIVE life to the fullest. Nothing holds us back. We play sports, visit animal farms, go out to eat on occasion and travel. We LIVE!

I have started this blog in hopes of helping other families dealing with these issues to see the brighter side of life. Let them see they are not the only ones. By sharing how we LIVE and handle certain situations we hope others will be inspired to try to do the same.